Phil Watt’s second half header secured the three points for Belper despite them squandering the lead twice, his looping header was cleared off the line but the officials deemed the ball had cross the line.

The Nailers took the lead just after the quarter hour mark, Alex Steadman got his first goal in his second spell with the club, collecting Rob Stevenson’s knock down and finishing confidently on the half-volley.

The host equalised on the stroke of half-time through forward Luke Keen, Jazz Luckie played a long ball forward to Keen, who cut inside Watt and smashed the ball high into Danny Haystead’s goal.

Evan Garnett restored Belper’s lead five minutes into the second half, Rob Stevenson hooked in a deep cross from the left-wing which was cleared into the path of Garnett, the goalscorer steadied himself and drilled the ball low past Stuart Parsons in the home goal.

Romulus got themselves back into the game for the second time on the hour mark, Jordan Francis collected the ball on the left-wing then took on stand-in full-back Ben Watkis and slid the ball under Haystead in the Nailers goal.

A deep corner from Jonathan Williams found Phil Watt at the back post whose looping header was cleared off the line, despite the protests of the Romulus players the assistant referee deemed the ball had crossed the line.

The Nailers could have killed the game off in the dying moments when Steadman held the ball up and back-heeled into the path of substitute Tyrell Shannon-Lewis, who somehow placed the ball wide from close range.

Both sides had chances to add to the scoreline, the hosts best chance fell to goalscorer Keen. Five minutes before the break he led a counter attack, cut inside but was brilliantly denied by Luke Shaw who blocked his effort on goal.

Liam Holt’s fizzing free-kick was impressively tipped over by Haystead to keep Belper’s lead intact at 3-2.

Belper return to The Marston’s Stadium next Saturday as they look to continue their good form against Lincoln United.

Romulus: Parsons (GK), Evans, Branch (Capt.), Lee, Ezewele, Holt, Luckie, Butler (Walters 82’), Keen, Ballard (Steane 54’), Francis. Subs: McDonald, Fitzharris.

Belper Town: Haystead (GK), Shaw (Simpson 54’), Cole, Williams, Cooksey, Watt, Stevenson, Graves (Capt.), Garnett (Shannon-Lewis 61’), Watkis, Steadman. Subs: Mansfield (GK), Minott, Hemagou.

Attendance: 70

Referee: Danny Gratton (Stone)
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